Buying for children with autism can sometimes be a challenge since most kids on the spectrum do not pretend play, but most all love sensory toys that they can either push a button, spin an object, look at, or touch. Children on the Autism Spectrum either have hyper-sensitivities (over-responsiveness) and hypo-sensitivities (under-responsiveness).
These sensory issues can involve one or more of these listed below:
- Sights
- Sounds
- Smells
- Tastes
- Touch
- Balance (vestibular)
- Body awareness ( proprioception)
Many kids are very hyper and need additional extra movement either with a swing or trampoline. You can even create your own sensory area and buy a sack swing or indoor small trampoline.
Also for tactile (touch) sensory needs kids will absolutely love playdough, kinetic sand, and water beads. I really love kinetic sand it is not that messy and is easier to clean up than regular sand. Kinetic sand has such an amazing feel that it is hard to explain. Kinetic sand can be molded like clay is free flowing as you watch it fall from your hands. Kinetic sand has the properties of wet sand, yet it is not wet. It feels soft and silky and my son loves it.
Water beads feel like soft, squishy, smooth marbles. If one drops to the floor, it has a little bounce and it will definitely roll. If you add water beads to a water table, they are relaxing and gentle and wonderful to touch. They do not dissolve. Great creative sensory play.
Here is a list of great sensory toys that I have tried and my son loves!
1. Push Pop Bubble Sensory Square Fidget Toy
This push pop bubble sensory square is a great fidget toy. It even makes a little “pop” sound that is very satisfying as you push the bubble part down. This fidget toy makes a great “calm down toy” that keeps my child sitting for at least a few minutes when he needs to start table time therapy or needs a quiet time.
2. Yoga Exercise Ball
How wonderful a yoga exercise ball is for sensory seeking movements and fun! A child can bounce, roll on stomach and even roll ball over body to get those wiggles out. A true staple at our house. I think the ball helps my son when his stomach hurts too if I lay him on his stomach on the ball.
3. Indoor Trampoline
What child does not like to “jump”? Great for balance and sensory seeking kids! My son even jumps in place on the floor, so we had to buy an indoor trampoline to help with his sensory needs. He loves it and we could not live without it.
4. Sack Swing / Outside Swing
Children love to swing and if they have sensory processing disorders they may find balance and feel comfortable and safe when a swing is part of their sensory day. My son loves to swing and would swing all day if you let him. It does help with his sensory issues. My son craves big movements and swings a lot. This sack swing provides a snuggle/compression like feel for them as well as the movement of the swing.
5. Weighted Blanket
The feel of a weighted blanket is so relaxing and calms down most children with sensory processing disorders, anxiety, ADHD and sleep issues. When Luke gets upset and starts crying a weighted blanket or his weighted lap pad helps so much. We even bought a weighed vest to assist him in calming and focus during table time therapy. All children/adults are different and you should consult with your doctor or therapist about the correct weighted blanket versus body weight.